Last school year I had major issues getting Elijah to school on time. He was always just 2-3 minutes late. Rushing your children out the door is an awful feeling. I don’t like it, they don’t like it, and it really isn’t effective in getting you anywhere any earlier.

This year, I made one small change about our mornings. I make my children pack their lunches the afternoon before. Everyday, when they come home from school, they are responsible to get their lunch packed for the next day. Now, of course, I am in the kitchen helping them and making suggestions, but they do most of the work.

This small change impacted our family in many positive ways. First, my children are learning responsibility. Second, there is no rushing around the kitchen in the morning arguing about what they want for lunch. Third, there is one less thing we have to do in the morning.

I cannot say that I have a perfect record of getting to school on time this year, but their tardies are few and far between and our mornings are (not perfect) but much calmer.

Small adjustments can have a big impact. A huge ship can completely change course by adjusting only a few degrees. Small adjustments in routine, or relationship, or maybe even a personal struggle can make dramatic improvements. Sometimes you have to quit trying to make a big change and start with a small one.

Comments

This a very good experience to share I all of us that have kids knows how frustrated is in the Morning to the kids ready. I have 3 kids too they are big but the still think they are little. They have to put there uniform ready for the following day, do there homework as soon as they get home that way the can have dome time for themself. By 9pm as later they all need to be in bed. And in the morning I wake them up one hour before the need to go to the school so they have eungh time to get to the school early and eat breaks fast slowly. This only took me 10 years to learn how to make my life easier. Remember the problem is not the problem itself is how we attack it and fix it!!! Good advice

Posted By: Adriana Pineda | February 27th, 2013 at 12:43 pm

Wow! This really hits home with me today! Just this morning I was crying after my daughter got picked up by carpool, because I feel terrible about sending her off after we have been fussing with each other all morning. We are always scrambling around, running behind each morning because she is never happy with her outfits, and wants to change 2 or 3 times every morning. I think I will start making her try on the outfit the night before so she can be sure that it looks right, is comfortable, etc. I really want to be able to send her off to school positively, and with love each morning, not with arguments and yelling! Thank you for sharing Holly!

Posted By: Ginger | February 27th, 2013 at 2:39 pm

I had the same issue, last year my child was #1 most tardy child in 3rd grade, this year 4th grade so far we have only 1 tardy, I believe. Only 2 – 3 minor changes, 1st. wake up child 15 min. earlier, 2nd set main clock in Liv. Room 5 min. ahead. ( we have talked about it so it is no surprise, but visually when it is 15min. to the hour it triggers hurry response for both of us ;)) 3rd. Homework done after school ( not always avail. due to sports etc. ).
My opinion Biggest change = clock set ahead 5 min.

Posted By: Steve H | February 27th, 2013 at 3:57 pm

I love tour wisdom Holly, thanks for posting so much great wisdom, stories or changed lives and fun!

Just a small degree of change can make a huge difference to the outcome. I have exactly the same problem with my 7yr old and getting to school on time and I had not thought of this option for the day before, thanks so much!

Posted By: Kristy | February 27th, 2013 at 5:25 pm

i so get this one! thanks for sharing!

my daughter is 7 and a social butterfly and so often isnt thinking about details… my small adjustment that has led to a big change is making a checklist for her to tick off each morning… it means again, she takes responsiblity and i’m not listing out loud all the tasks she needs to do… and i can include “nice things” like a kiss for mum!